be_v always_o most_o busy_a to_o sow_v his_o tare_n among_o the_o best_a wheat_n but_o that_o which_o be_v most_o to_o our_o purpose_n here_o to_o observe_v be_v that_o the_o same_o method_n which_o the_o orthodox_n christian_n than_o make_v use_v of_o for_o the_o confutation_n and_o conviction_n of_o heretic_n and_o schismatic_n we_o still_o appeal_v to_o by_o bring_v they_o to_o the_o touchstone_n of_o scripture_n and_o next_o to_o that_o the_o most_o orthodox_n and_o catholic_n tradition_n whereas_o how_o short_a and_o easy_a a_o decision_n to_o all_o debate_n may_v have_v be_v fetch_v hence_o have_v they_o have_v the_o same_o apprehension_n of_o the_o authority_n and_o esficacy_n thereof_o by_o refer_v all_o controversy_n depend_v to_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n the_o mother_n and_o mistress_n of_o all_o and_o to_o that_o infallible_a conduct_n settle_v therein_o but_o not_o one_o word_n of_o that_o only_o when_o they_o make_v their_o appeal_n to_o she_o after_o the_o express_a word_n of_o god_n it_o be_v in_o common_a with_o many_o other_o church_n especial_o those_o of_o apostolical_a foundation_n as_o in_o tertullian_n irenoeus_n st._n augustin_n etc._n etc._n where_o they_o have_v to_o deal_v with_o such_o person_n fiunt_fw-la 3._o the_o pretence_n of_o the_o most_o absolute_a authority_n in_o the_o one_o part_n and_o the_o extortion_n of_o the_o most_o implicit_a belief_n and_o blind_a obedience_n in_o the_o other_o among_o they_o have_v not_o be_v able_a to_o secure_v themselves_o from_o considerable_a dissension_n and_o division_n in_o opinion_n and_o practice_n if_o these_o have_v not_o break_v out_o ordinary_o into_o the_o most_o open_a schism_n and_o heresy_n the_o stop_n be_v more_o due_a to_o the_o craft_n and_o policy_n whereby_o they_o oft_o compromise_v the_o matter_n between_o both_o party_n or_o to_o that_o outward_a force_n and_o violence_n which_o restrain_v they_o rather_o than_o to_o any_o opinion_n which_o they_o themselves_o have_v of_o this_o ready_a mean_n of_o end_v all_o dispute_n we_o find_v in_o the_o fierce_a debate_n among_o they_o how_o little_a heed_n be_v give_v to_o this_o infallible_a cure_n far_o than_o interest_n or_o necessity_n incline_v they_o there_o may_v be_v a_o way_n of_o prevent_a controversy_n which_o destroy_v all_o religion_n and_o make_v way_n for_o atheism_n in_o such_o a_o case_n i_o need_v not_o inquire_v where_o the_o advantage_n lie_v 4._o we_o may_v answer_v most_o of_o those_o mischief_n have_v their_o rise_n from_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n when_o that_o be_v violent_o assault_v and_o break_v its_o authority_n despise_v its_o constitution_n vilify_v its_o order_n deface_v its_o faithful_a adherent_n persecute_v than_o faction_n and_o disorder_n strange_a doctrine_n phrensical_a opinion_n and_o all_o manner_n of_o looseness_n in_o principle_n and_o practice_n come_v in_o like_o a_o torrent_n and_o overspread_v the_o land_n which_o before_o skulkt_v in_o corner_n and_o be_v little_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o restitution_n of_o the_o church_n have_v in_o great_a measure_n put_v a_o stop_n to_o their_o progress_n i_o knwo_o not_o of_o any_o sect_n which_o have_v start_v up_o since_o that_o time_n but_o almost_o every_o year_n before_o bring_v forth_o several_a if_o her_o pain_n and_o care_n have_v not_o yet_o be_v so_o successful_o prevalent_a as_o to_o recover_v and_o restore_v all_o that_o have_v go_v astray_o she_o have_v not_o be_v want_v in_o her_o endeavour_n towards_o it_o which_o have_v reduce_v many_o and_o it_o be_v no_o little_a time_n nor_o easy_a task_n to_o repair_v the_o ruin_n of_o such_o long_a confusion_n and_o desolation_n 5._o we_o owe_v a_o great_a part_n of_o these_o calamity_n to_o the_o same_o person_n who_o now_o charge_v they_o upon_o we_o for_o beside_o the_o influence_n which_o their_o agent_n principle_n and_o example_n have_v in_o contrive_v and_o promote_a those_o unnatural_a commotion_n and_o rebellion_n in_o the_o state_n which_o i_o be_o not_o now_o concern_v to_o examine_v let_v matter_n of_o fact_n determine_v that_o as_o it_o have_v be_v find_v more_o or_o less_o plain_a thus_o far_o we_o have_v abundant_a evidence_n that_o several_a of_o their_o emissary_n have_v herd_v with_o the_o chief_a of_o our_o dissenter_n and_o if_o some_o of_o the_o gross_a sect_n be_v not_o frame_v among_o they_o first_o as_o seem_v very_o probable_a yet_o most_o of_o they_o have_v be_v much_o foment_v and_o strengthen_v by_o they_o and_o they_o have_v be_v oft_o find_v act_v their_o part_n under_o that_o disguise_n and_o have_v employ_v on_o all_o occasion_n their_o interest_n to_o shelter_v and_o protect_v they_o according_a to_o the_o know_a maxim_n of_o their_o policy_n that_o the_o ready_a way_n of_o effect_v our_o ruin_n be_v by_o increase_v and_o foment_v our_o division_n here_o they_o have_v find_v their_o great_a harvest_n for_o when_o man_n mind_n be_v unsettle_a and_o they_o grow_v giddy_a with_o be_v long_o turn_v about_o by_o every_o new_a wind_n of_o doctrine_n and_o be_v weary_a of_o tumble_v and_o toss_v from_o one_o party_n to_o another_o they_o will_v easy_o catch_v hold_n of_o any_o fancy_a support_n and_o be_v soon_o betray_v to_o yield_v themselves_o captive_n to_o the_o delusory_a hope_n of_o rest_n and_o settlement_n among_o they_o 6._o to_o all_o which_o may_v be_v add_v much_o of_o that_o irreverence_n and_o contempt_n of_o person_n and_o thing_n sacred_a which_o have_v make_v way_n for_o the_o forementioned_a sad_a calamity_n among_o we_o be_v most_o due_a to_o their_o oppression_n insolence_n or_o delusion_n when_o the_o people_n have_v so_o long_o groan_v under_o their_o tyrannical_a yoke_n and_o intolerable_a burden_n and_o find_v themselves_o so_o oft_o cheat_v by_o their_o manifest_a imposture_n no_o marvel_n if_o they_o be_v overfearful_a of_o what_o they_o have_v suffer_v so_o much_o from_o and_o afterward_o too_o suspicious_a of_o be_v delude_v again_o and_o be_v soon_o tempt_v to_o transgress_v due_a measure_n in_o the_o use_n of_o their_o liberty_n be_v just_o recover_v from_o extreme_a slavery_n though_o so_o many_o year_n have_v pass_v since_o as_o will_v hardly_o admit_v of_o a_o tolerable_a excuse_n yet_o better_a experience_n and_o long_a consideration_n we_o hope_v in_o time_n may_v teach_v they_o to_o distinguish_v between_o the_o certain_a interest_n of_o true_a religion_n and_o the_o hypocritical_a wile_n of_o worldly_a craft_n and_o policy_n and_o so_o to_o think_v a_o due_a respect_n and_o obsequiousness_n to_o those_o who_o sincere_o manage_v the_o former_a necessary_a to_o preserve_v they_o from_o be_v impose_v on_o by_o the_o latter_a and_o prevent_v their_o fall_n into_o the_o like_a miscarriage_n which_o they_o observe_v in_o other_o and_o that_o apostolical_a government_n good_a order_n wholesome_a discipline_n sound_a doctrine_n and_o uniform_a devotion_n may_v no_o long_o suffer_v under_o the_o false_a but_o most_o odious_a charge_n of_o popery_n and_o that_o they_o who_o have_v under_o god_n be_v most_o instrumental_a in_o reform_v and_o defend_v the_o church_n from_o the_o real_a and_o gross_a corruption_n thereof_o may_v not_o still_o be_v oppress_v with_o the_o unreasonable_a clamour_n of_o a_o mere_a invidious_a name_n which_o they_o that_o use_v most_o know_v very_o little_a what_o they_o mean_v by_o it_o only_o that_o it_o denote_v somewhat_o favour_v by_o they_o of_o who_o they_o have_v deserve_o a_o ill_a opinion_n the_o case_n have_v be_v too_o like_a exemplify_v in_o another_o instance_n especial_o of_o late_a year_n in_o which_o many_o hypocrite_n have_v so_o scandalous_o abuse_v the_o most_o solemn_a pretence_n to_o sanctity_n and_o devotion_n for_o a_o cover_n or_o continuance_n to_o the_o most_o horrid_a oppression_n schism_n and_o rebellion_n that_o they_o have_v embolden_v profane_a man_n to_o scorn_n and_o send_v out_o open_a defiance_n against_o the_o very_a appearance_n of_o religion_n and_o possible_o tempt_v other_o serious_a and_o hearty_a lover_n of_o iâ—s_a cause_n to_o be_v too_o modest_a and_o shamefaced_a in_o its_o defence_n yet_o we_o hope_v unfeigned_a piety_n will_v be_v always_o justify_v of_o its_o child_n suitable_o true_o catholic_n principle_n and_o observance_n may_v vindicate_v themselves_o though_o gross_a error_n and_o imposâ—ures_n have_v long_o pass_v under_o that_o disguise_n notwithstanding_o ordinary_a people_n not_o always_o the_o best_a distinguisher_n and_o who_o be_v often_o hurry_v from_o one_o extreme_a to_o another_o do_v not_o ready_o discern_v one_o from_o the_o other_o but_o have_v find_v themselves_o once_o cheat_v be_v a_o long_a time_n over-jealous_a of_o a_o like_a design_n upon_o they_o vi_o from_o the_o premise_n due_o consider_v will_n i_o hope_v in_o the_o close_o be_v infer_v the_o strong_a motive_n and_o obligation_n upon_o all_o among_o we_o hearty_o to_o embrace_v and_o steady_o to_o persevere_v in_o the_o
of_o god_n the_o honour_n of_o his_o religion_n the_o edification_n of_o his_o church_n the_o propagation_n of_o his_o truth_n and_o the_o peculiar_a promise_n of_o his_o presence_n and_o blessing_n require_v a_o solemn_a public_a exercise_n of_o all_o religious_a worship_n in_o unite_a congregation_n so_o hereby_o we_o most_o sensible_o prove_v and_o secure_v our_o unity_n therein_o derelinquit_fw-la whoever_o then_o needless_o separate_v himself_o from_o this_o church_n or_o refuse_v to_o join_v in_o communion_n with_o its_o member_n so_o far_o as_o it_o be_v in_o his_o power_n where_o he_o may_v without_o violence_n to_o any_o doctrine_n or_o precept_n of_o christ_n such_o a_o one_o divide_v himself_o from_o his_o body_n and_o so_o from_o all_o the_o promise_n that_o we_o know_v of_o the_o sacred_a and_o comfortable_a influence_n of_o that_o one_o head_n and_o one_o spirit_n 4._o in_o the_o unity_n of_o discipline_n 〈◊〉_d whereby_o every_o act_n of_o any_o particular_a church_n conformable_a to_o the_o institution_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o universal_o receive_v practice_n of_o his_o church_n stand_v confirm_v as_o a_o act_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n particular_o whoever_o be_v admit_v into_o it_o according_o by_o baptism_n in_o one_o place_n be_v to_o be_v account_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n catholic_n and_o receive_v into_o its_o communion_n wherever_o he_o come_v it_o no_o evidence_n appear_v of_o his_o exclusion_n by_o any_o after_o regular_a censure_n likewise_o into_o whatever_o office_n or_o ministration_n any_o be_v orderly_o admit_v in_o one_o part_n thereof_o in_o the_o same_o be_v they_o to_o be_v acknowledge_v in_o all_o other_o though_o without_o that_o particular_a jurisdiction_n which_o they_o have_v in_o their_o own_o but_o whosoever_o lie_v under_o any_o censure_n in_o one_o church_n he_o be_v to_o be_v suppose_v under_o the_o same_o in_o all_o other_o and_o not_o to_o be_v receive_v into_o communion_n till_o the_o sentence_n be_v reverse_v by_o the_o same_o power_n or_o a_o still_o high_o and_o great_a authority_n according_a to_o the_o five_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a and_o the_o design_n of_o their_o form_a and_o communicatory_a letter_n without_o which_o none_o be_v to_o pass_v from_o one_o church_n to_o another_o thus_o every_o church_n be_v accountable_a to_o its_o neighbour_n church_n and_o so_o to_o the_o whole_a church_n for_o its_o action_n that_o one_o may_v not_o do_v what_o the_o other_o undo_v without_o any_o regard_n to_o this_o unity_n which_o will_v lead_v to_o the_o confusion_n and_o distraction_n of_o all_o wherefore_o to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o such_o difference_n when_o rise_v or_o obviate_v any_o grow_a mischief_n thereby_o and_o to_o receive_v appeal_n from_o person_n who_o think_v themselves_o aggrieve_v or_o injure_v by_o their_o own_o bishop_n or_o church_n a_o council_n of_o all_o bishop_n in_o each_o province_n be_v appoint_v twice_o in_o the_o year_n by_o the_o same_o canon_n and_o in_o many_o other_o but_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n then_o of_o any_o far_a or_o high_a appeal_n ecclesia_fw-la thus_o a_o amicable_a correspondence_n and_o intimate_a communication_n be_v maintain_v between_o the_o neighbour_n church_n and_o their_o governor_n and_o by_o they_o with_o other_o remove_v at_o a_o great_a distance_n throughout_o the_o world_n these_o need_v no_o long_a proof_n but_o may_v be_v take_v as_o general_o grant_v the_o main_a dispute_n will_v lie_v in_o the_o particular_a application_n of_o the_o two_o last_o now_o to_o prevent_v as_o much_o as_o may_v be_v all_o difficulty_n about_o they_o it_o may_v be_v add_v to_o the_o three_o of_o unity_n of_o worship_n that_o it_o will_v be_v very_o convenient_a if_o not_o absolute_o necessary_a in_o any_o settle_a establish_a church_n that_o there_o be_v some_o set_a form_n of_o public_a ministration_n without_o which_o it_o be_v hard_o for_o any_o to_o know_v before_o hand_n what_o they_o join_v with_o especial_o for_o stranger_n but_o then_o these_o form_n shall_v be_v as_o plain_a and_o simple_a as_o possible_a with_o as_o little_a pretence_n as_o can_v be_v of_o any_o danger_n to_o the_o know_a will_n and_o word_n of_o god_n for_o no_o obligation_n whatsoever_o can_v tie_v i_o to_o communicate_v with_o another_o in_o that_o which_o he_o forbid_v and_o it_o will_v be_v a_o great_a temptation_n to_o more_o than_o suspect_v this_o danger_n when_o man_n private_a opinion_n or_o fanciful_a transport_n be_v mingle_v with_o they_o which_o have_v little_a show_n of_o scripture_n or_o the_o general_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n to_o justify_v they_o the_o ready_a way_n i_o know_v of_o to_o prevent_v that_o hazard_n after_o all_o other_o care_n about_o the_o matter_n contain_v be_v to_o endeavour_v that_o these_o office_n be_v as_o near_o alike_o in_o all_o place_n as_o can_v well_o be_v yet_o every_o difference_n in_o judgement_n when_o no_o violence_n be_v offer_v to_o the_o foundation_n of_o catholic_n faith_n and_o unity_n must_v not_o break_v this_o communion_n according_a to_o that_o profession_n of_o st._n cyprian_a amoventes_fw-la judge_v no_o man_n nor_o exclude_v he_o from_o the_o right_n of_o communion_n if_o he_o think_v otherwise_o where_o the_o dispute_n be_v think_v of_o no_o mean_n concern_v especial_o in_o this_o cause_n which_o ibid._n st._n augustin_n oft_o allege_v against_o the_o donatist_n that_o boast_v so_o much_o of_o st._n cyprian_n judgement_n against_o his_o declare_a practice_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n may_v be_v apply_v the_o treatment_n of_o 26._o st._n polycarp_n in_o rome_n by_o anicetus_n the_o bishop_n though_o they_o differ_v about_o the_o time_n of_o the_o celebration_n of_o easter_n and_o in_o other_o point_n which_o can_v not_o be_v agree_v between_o they_o yet_o this_o last_o not_o only_o invite_v the_o former_a to_o communion_n with_o he_o but_o also-to_a celebrate_v the_o sacred_a eucharist_n in_o this_o church_n as_o the_o word_n be_v general_o interpret_v which_o st._n irenaeus_n not_o long_o after_o urge_v strong_o against_o victor_n who_o be_v hasten_v to_o excommunicate_v the_o asian_a church_n for_o the_o same_o difference_n contrary_a to_o his_o predecessor_n practice_n as_o to_o the_o four_o of_o unity_n of_o discipline_n if_o unity_n of_o government_n in_o all_o part_n be_v not_o indispensable_o necessary_a to_o it_o yet_o it_o will_v be_v so_o far_o as_o not_o to_o abrogate_v or_o invade_v the_o positive_a institution_n of_o our_o saviour_n himself_o herein_o and_o be_v more_o than_o convenient_a that_o it_o be_v as_o conformable_a as_o it_o be_v in_o our_o power_n to_o make_v it_o in_o one_o place_n to_o what_o it_o be_v in_o another_o it_o seem_v horrible_o presumptuous_a violent_o to_o thrust_v out_o of_o the_o church_n that_o government_n under_o the_o influence_n of_o which_o christianity_n have_v be_v convey_v and_o preserve_v from_o the_o age_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o most_o distant_a place_n upon_o pretence_n of_o erect_v a_o new_a better_a scheme_n or_o model_n of_o our_o own_o or_o because_o of_o the_o intricate_a use_n of_o one_o or_o two_o term_n in_o scripture_n when_o the_o church_n be_v in_o its_o first_o formation_n though_o against_o the_o plain_a current_n of_o it_o in_o other_o place_n and_o the_o uninterrupted_a tradition_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n a_o church_n indeed_o must_v be_v more_o or_o less_o perfect_a according_a to_o its_o government_n for_o suitable_a will_v be_v the_o exercise_n and_o authority_n of_o its_o discipline_n what_o allowance_n may_v be_v make_v for_o those_o who_o desire_v to_o come_v as_o near_o as_o they_o can_v to_o the_o primitive_a pattern_n though_o it_o be_v not_o in_o their_o power_n to_o reach_v it_o in_o many_o considerable_a point_n i_o be_o not_o now_o to_o dispute_v but_o most_o inexcusable_a and_o high_o obnoxious_a be_v they_o that_o by_o extreme_a violence_n and_o usurpation_n endeavour_v to_o destroy_v what_o they_o find_v regular_o establish_v to_o their_o hand_n iii_o but_o we_o be_v here_o most_o concern_v with_o the_o bold_a claim_n of_o the_o romanist_n amid_o their_o most_o obvious_a defection_n who_o have_v make_v it_o the_o principal_a band_n of_o unity_n in_o the_o catholic_n church_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o see_v of_o rome_n and_o the_o pretend_a vicar_n of_o christ_n therein_o as_o the_o universal_a head_n and_o monarch_n of_o the_o church_n this_o they_o have_v determine_v as_o de_fw-la fide_fw-la and_o put_v into_o their_o very_a creed_n and_o exclude_v all_o that_o do_v not_o express_o own_v it_o but_o against_o this_o as_o a_o great_a breach_n of_o christian_a unity_n we_o have_v many_o just_a exception_n and_o be_v always_o ready_a to_o prove_v they_o so_o jurisdiction_n 1._o supremacy_n in_o that_o no_o evidence_n from_o scripture_n appear_v of_o any_o such_o authority_n confer_v upon_o he_o or_o they_o but_o many_o strong_a
thereof_o and_o nothing_o be_v more_o opposite_a to_o their_o principle_n and_o practice_n who_o have_v formal_o exclude_v all_o other_o christian_n and_o church_n from_o any_o share_n therein_o not_o only_o those_o in_o the_o west_n that_o have_v deserve_o cast_v off_o that_o power_n which_o they_o have_v unjust_o arrogate_a and_o tyrannical_o exercise_v but_o also_o the_o greek_n and_o other_o in_o the_o east_n that_o never_o own_v any_o subjection_n to_o they_o but_o most_o secure_o may_v the_o church_n of_o england_n glory_n in_o true_a catholicism_n which_o to_o all_o her_o other_o privilege_n and_o advantage_n that_o she_o may_v boast_v of_o above_o almost_o any_o other_o church_n still_o maintain_v and_o evidence_n the_o great_a charity_n to_o other_o of_o any_o that_o i_o know_v in_o the_o world_n make_v no_o other_o enclosure_n than_o those_o which_o god_n himself_o have_v make_v not_o assume_v any_o authority_n to_o command_v yea_o or_o to_o pass_v hasty_a judgement_n upon_o 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church_n or_o they_o of_o rome_n arrogate_v to_o themselves_o the_o whole_a or_o which_o be_v the_o schismatic_n from_o it_o they_o which_o exclude_v none_o who_o they_o own_v no_o power_n over_o but_o invite_v all_o to_o they_o and_o join_v with_o any_o in_o what_o be_v good_a and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o institution_n of_o our_o common_a lord_n or_o they_o who_o shut_v out_o all_o but_o those_o who_o will_v subject_v themselves_o to_o their_o usurp_a authority_n and_o most_o unjustifiable_a imposition_n abstinuisti_fw-la father_n the_o term_n catholic_n be_v sometime_o take_v for_o orthodox_n and_o so_o the_o catholic_n church_n interpret_v for_o that_o which_o hold_v the_o catholic_n faith_n oppose_v to_o heretical_a opinion_n and_o doctrine_n as_o well_o as_o to_o schismatical_a separation_n 4._o in_o this_o sense_n the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v as_o good_a a_o claim_n in_o the_o catholic_n church_n as_o any_o whatever_n receive_v all_o the_o artiticle_n of_o christian_a faith_n deliver_v in_o scripture_n and_o receive_v in_o the_o primitive_a age_n for_o more_o than_o five_o hundred_o year_n no_o principle_n have_v be_v so_o formal_o declare_v then_o and_o for_o some_o time_n after_o as_o the_o catholic_n faith_n of_o all_o christian_n and_o as_o such_o necessary_a to_o be_v own_a which_o she_o reject_v whatever_o private_a opinion_n there_o may_v be_v then_o among_o some_o eminent_a doctor_n of_o the_o church_n in_o which_o they_o oft_o differ_v one_o from_o the_o other_o or_o although_o there_o may_v be_v some_o observance_n then_o general_o receive_v which_o she_o think_v herself_o not_o bind_v to_o retain_v but_o ill_o will_v this_o character_n agree_v to_o the_o romanist_n who_o have_v add_v so_o many_o new_a dangerous_a article_n to_o the_o common_a faith_n of_o christian_n not_o only_o beside_o the_o original_a rule_n which_o they_o can_v but_o own_o with_o we_o but_o too_o often_o against_o it_o and_o the_o profess_a belief_n of_o the_o first_o and_o best_a age_n of_o the_o church_n wherefore_o we_o reject_v not_o these_o innovation_n mere_o from_o negative_a argument_n because_o not_o sufficient_o prove_v and_o yet_o that_o way_n of_o argue_v have_v be_v always_o allow_v in_o the_o fundamental_o of_o faith_n which_o must_v be_v ground_v upon_o express_a divine_a authority_n and_o testimony_n but_o we_o lie_v the_o great_a stress_n of_o our_o aversation_n to_o they_o upon_o that_o direct_a opposition_n which_o we_o undertake_v to_o prove_v most_o of_o they_o have_v to_o the_o common_a faith_n and_o reveal_v will_n of_o god_n which_o they_o and_o we_o both_o own_o and_o sure_o that_o church_n in_o this_o acceptaion_n be_v most_o catholic_n that_o rely_v on_o such_o catholic_n principle_n and_o refer_v all_o other_o to_o be_v examine_v by_o this_o touchstone_n v._n but_o in_o the_o five_o place_n some_o objection_n lie_v in_o our_o way_n fit_a to_o be_v answer_v object_n 1._o they_o urge_v against_o we_o that_o we_o reject_v several_a doctrine_n since_o formal_o determine_v in_o the_o church_n by_o the_o know_a and_o receive_v authority_n thereof_o in_o council_n more_o general_a or_o particular_a which_o they_o pretend_v be_v believe_v through_o all_o age_n but_o then_o establish_v when_o they_o come_v first_o to_o be_v call_v in_o question_n answ_n we_o be_v not_o much_o concern_v in_o the_o first_o part_n of_o the_o objection_n though_o very_o many_o exception_n may_v come_v in_o especial_o as_o to_o the_o formality_n and_o regularity_n of_o those_o council_n but_o as_o to_o the_o latter_a part_n in_o which_o the_o main_a stress_n lie_v here_o we_o never_o refuse_v a_o fair_a trial_n thereof_o 1._o from_o scripture_n against_o which_o no_o authority_n civil_a or_o ecclesiastical_a in_o single_a person_n or_o the_o great_a assembly_n no_o time_n or_o custom_n of_o whatever_o date_n can_v prescribe_v etc._n this_o have_v be_v ever_o receive_v till_o of_o late_a as_o the_o perfect_a and_o entire_a 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some_o of_o they_o we_o now_o charge_v be_v not_o particular_o describe_v therein_o 4._o we_o may_v compare_v matter_n of_o fact_n with_o the_o experience_n of_o the_o like_a degeneracy_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n in_o various_a instance_n so_o near_o resemble_v these_o as_o nothing_o more_o and_o from_o the_o same_o plea_n of_o oral_a tradition_n yet_o against_o as_o clear_a evidence_n and_o as_o emphatical_a promise_n to_o preserve_v they_o from_o apostasy_n as_o any_o particular_a church_n at_o least_o can_v now_o pretend_v to_o 5._o we_o may_v consult_v the_o tendency_n of_o lapse_v mankind_n in_o the_o best_a how_o weak_a it_o be_v and_o apt_a to_o be_v impose_v on_o in_o other_o how_o prone_a to_o corrupt_v and_o distort_v the_o best_a institution_n cast_v a_o mist_n before_o the_o clear_a discovery_n and_o offer_v violence_n unto_o the_o strong_a conviction_n to_o shelter_v their_o vice_n and_o promote_v their_o unwarrantable_a interest_n especial_o in_o time_n of_o ease_n plenty_n and_o outward_a prosperity_n in_o which_o we_o may_v compare_v common_a experience_n in_o lesser_a society_n which_o however_o wise_o direct_v at_o first_o regular_o found_v and_o strong_o guard_v on_o all_o side_n without_o a_o very_a careful_a inspection_n and_o sometime_o vigorous_a opposition_n so_o many_o corruption_n will_v creep_v in_o as_o to_o need_v frequent_a reformation_n to_o reduce_v they_o back_o to_o their_o primitive_a constitution_n and_o although_o a_o especial_a providence_n be_v concern_v for_o the_o guard_n and_o conduct_v of_o god_n church_n yet_o neither_o scripture_n or_o experience_n warrant_v we_o to_o expect_v its_o happy_a influence_n by_o miracle_n now_o for_o the_o effect_n of_o that_o which_o may_v be_v accomplish_v by_o the_o use_n of_o ordinary_a and_o regular_a mean_n of_o his_o own_o appointment_n 6._o we_o may_v reflect_v upon_o the_o particular_a age_n of_o the_o church_n which_o we_o charge_v especial_o with_o these_o desection_n from_o about_o the_o eight_o century_n to_o the_o reformation_n